Written Answers Wednesday 14 February 2007

Scottish Executive

Accountant in Bankruptcy

Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Accountant in Bankruptcy has the power to consider what remedies are available to Farepak customers in Scotland in receipt of benefits under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 with regard to recovering monies lost and, if so, what action the Accountant in Bankruptcy has taken in this respect.

Johann Lamont: Corporate insolvency, such as the Farepak Administration, is reserved for the UK Parliament under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998 and as such the Accountant in Bankruptcy does not have any powers to assist Farepak customers.

  The Accountant in Bankruptcy, as trustee in a personal sequestration, can make a claim in the administration of Farepak where the debtor is due monies. This would be on the same basis as all other Farepak customers and would be treated as an unsecured creditor’s claim in the administration. In a sequestration where the debtor had made payments solely out of social security benefits to Farepak, any money recovered would be returned to the debtor under section 187 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

Agriculture

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Single Farm Payment (SFP) claimants have had penalties applied for errors found within their completed (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 SFP forms; what the total sum was of these penalties, and whether it will make a ministerial statement on this matter.

Ross Finnie: The extent of penalties applied under the arrangements for the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS) and arising from errors in completing the Single Application Form etc are as follows:

  2005: 362 Businesses - Total £581,918.982006: 320 Businesses - Total £676,184.69.These figures should be viewed in the context that they have been applied within the framework created by European Commission regulations to deal with non-compliance with scheme conditions. The current penalty regime (which is very similar to that operated under the previous regime) is shaped to address over-declaration of land areas that would otherwise lead to inflated subsidy payments under SFPS (a land-based scheme). The correct declaration of land areas, therefore, is key to the Single Farm Payment Scheme and my department supplies farm businesses with extensive information on how to complete their applications forms and further guidance is available from local offices. Ultimately, however, it is the producers’ responsibility to ensure that applications for subsidy are completed properly.Whilst it is unfortunate for the businesses concerned that penalties have been applied, it is worth noting that the overwhelming majority of producers complete their applications properly. The figures for 2005 and 2006 shown above represent 1.7% and 1.5% respectively of all businesses submitting Single Application Forms and 0.14% and 0.15% respectively of the total amount claimed.If any business feels that decisions by the Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) on issues affecting their subsidy are wrong, they have recourse to the Agricultural Subsidies (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 2000. This provides an accessible and affordable way for producers to challenge SEERAD’s decisions to refuse, reduce, or recover support and allow many appeals to be resolved without the need for expensive judicial involvement. The process consists of three stages: an internal SEERAD review; a review by an external panel, and an appeal to the Scottish Land Court.

Ambulance Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the longest time was for an ambulance to attend an incident following a 999 call in each year since 2000, broken down by Scottish Ambulance Service division.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Antisocial Behaviour

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many antisocial behaviour orders were breached in each of the last two years, broken down by local authority.

Johann Lamont: This information is provided in table 5.3 of Use of Antisocial Behaviour Orders in Scotland: Report of the 2004-05 Survey  and table 4.1 of  Use of Antisocial Behaviour Orders in Scotland: Report of the 2005-06 Survey which are available on the Scottish Executive website. These data are based on research on the Use of Antisocial Behaviour Orders and are an estimate of the breach rate. This research suggests that nationally, 31% of orders were allegedly breached in 2005-06 and 26% were breached in 2004-05. However, current data recording practices suggest that the data is incomplete and the figures given are an underestimate of true breach rates.

  To obtain more reliable data on breach rate, further research on the outcome of ASBOs has been included in the new criminal justice research programme and, subject to obtaining the necessary access to records, is expected to begin within the next six months. This research would involve tracking a sample of orders to completion to examine breach rate and outcome of breach hearings in more detail. It will also explore how breach data can be routinely collected in future and make recommendations about improving current monitoring practices.

Antisocial Behaviour

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has used to assess any links between addiction and antisocial behaviour.

Johann Lamont: The Scottish Executive has reviewed evidence on the links between alcohol, crime and disorder to help inform the Nicholson Committee’s Review of Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland. The results of this review were published in Liquor Licensing and Public Disorder: Review of Literature on the Impact of Licensing and Other Controls, and Audit of Local Initiatives’ (2003) which can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47032/0025167.pdf .

  This report is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 26524).

  We are also aware of a Home Office review of published evidence on the links between antisocial behaviour and drugs/alcohol misuse.

  Home Office RDS: (2004): Anti-social Behaviour: A collection of published evidence (Crime and Policing Group: Home Office Development and Practice Report), London, Home Office. http://www.together.gov.uk/article.asp?c=458&aid=3429.

  This report will shortly be available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 41856).

Central Heating Programme

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people living in the (a) ML8, (b) ML9, (c) ML10, (d) ML11 and (e) ML12 postcode areas have benefited from the central heating programme and the Warm Deal.

Des McNulty: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Information about private sector installations is held by main postcode area. In the ML postcode area a total of 2,874 households in the private sector are now centrally heated as a result of the central heating programme.

  In the public sector North Lanarkshire Council have installed 291 central heating systems, South Lanarkshire have installed 3,117 systems and housing associations installed 105 systems.

  In the ML postcode area a total of 5,933 households across all sectors benefited from Warm Deal insulation measures provided through the Managing Agent. In addition, in the local authority sector North Lanarkshire Council insulated 4,801 households and South Lanarkshire Council insulated 3,881 households as part of the programme.

Communities

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it became aware that One Plus was experiencing financial difficulties.

Des McNulty: The Executive first became aware of possible financial difficulties at One Plus on 7 December 2006.

Communities

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its reasons were for refusing to provide the additional funding requested by One Plus.

Des McNulty: The Executive gave careful consideration to the proposal of 9 January 2007 from One Plus for a refinancing of the company.

  The key factors in arriving at a decision on the refinancing were whether it was a proper role for the Executive to support One Plus in the way it proposed, with particular reference to state aid rules, and the level of risk associated with the proposal put forward by One Plus. Feedback from local authorities that support should be focused on securing continuity of services, rather than re-financing, was also an important factor.

Crime

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has used to assess any links between addiction and crime.

Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has reviewed evidence on the links between alcohol, crime and disorder to help inform the Nicholson Committee’s Review of Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland. The results of this review were published in Liquor Licensing and Public Disorder: Review of Literature on the Impact of Licensing and Other Controls, and Audit of Local Initiatives’ (2003) which can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47032/0025167.pdf .

  This report is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 26524).

Crime

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the conviction rate was for (a) violent and (b) all crimes recorded in each of the last 10 years, broken down by police force area.

Cathy Jamieson: The available information is given in the following tables.

  Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Violent Crimes1: Percentage with a Charge Proved, by Police Force, 1995-96 to 2004-052

  

Police Force
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


Central 
79
73
76
82
76
66
74
83
76
80


Dumfries and Galloway
75
80
84
72
80
81
87
74
83
77


Fife 
77
82
78
77
80
77
72
85
82
81


Grampian 
82
88
87
78
80
78
82
83
84
82


Lothian and Borders 
81
82
81
80
76
80
77
78
81
77


Northern 
79
78
77
73
86
90
88
78
80
86


Strathclyde 
70
69
72
75
73
70
75
75
75
75


Tayside 
66
68
65
62
64
67
63
73
66
69


Scotland3
73
73
75
75
74
72
75
77
76
76



  Notes:

  1. Where main offence in the Scottish Executive Justice Department (SEJD) crime group 1 (non-sexual crimes of violence). Excludes persons against whom proceedings were started but dropped before they reached court.

  2. There is some undercounting of acquittals in the data for 2002-03 to 2004-05. The percentage figures shown for these years therefore include some estimated data.

  3. Includes a small number where force is unknown.

  Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for all Crimes1: Percentage with a Charge Proved, by Police Force, 1995-96 to 2004-05

  

Police Force
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


Central 
88
86
86
87
86
87
89
90
88
89


Dumfries and Galloway
86
87
85
84
82
85
86
87
85
85


Fife 
88
87
86
86
87
87
86
88
89
89


Grampian 
90
90
91
91
88
88
88
89
89
89


Lothian and Borders 
87
87
89
89
88
87
89
88
88
88


Northern 
89
86
87
86
86
91
93
89
90
89


Strathclyde 
79
76
78
79
77
75
78
78
78
78


Tayside 
76
78
78
78
80
83
83
85
84
84


Scotland3
82
81
82
83
81
81
83
83
83
83



  Note:

  1. Where main offence in SEJD crime groups 1-5 (non-sexual crimes of violence, crimes of indecency, crimes of dishonesty, criminal damage, other crimes). Excludes persons against whom proceedings were started but dropped before they reached court.

  2. There is some undercounting of acquittals in the data for 2002-03 to 2004-05. The percentage figures shown for these years therefore include some estimated data.

  3. Includes a small number where force is unknown.

Dentistry

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in meeting its commitment to provide free dental check-ups by 2007 and what impact a shortage of NHS dentists is having on this commitment.

Lewis Macdonald: All NHS dental examinations have been free since 1 April 2006.

  We have put in place a number of initiatives to address problems of access to NHS dental services in some parts of Scotland. The number (headcount) of non-salaried principals providing NHS general dental services in Scotland has risen from 1,933 at 30 September 2005 to 2,025 at 30 September 2006, and in the same period the number of Community and Salaried Dentists has increased from 550 to 676.

Economy

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of Scotland’s gross domestic product, expressed in (a) pounds sterling and (b) US dollars.

Nicol Stephen: Based on the latest data available from the Office for National Statistics for the value of Scottish Gross Value Added (GVA or GDP at basic prices), the Scottish GVA in 2005 was £86.3 billion, which is the equivalent of $157.1 billion at an exchange rate of 1.8195.

Emergency Services

Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the average salary of emergency workers compares with that of employees in the private sector with similar skills and experience.

Nicol Stephen: The preferred source for earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which is carried out by the Office for National Statistics. The latest earnings estimates available are for April 2006.

  Table 1 shows the median full-time hourly earnings excluding overtime for selected Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes which encompass the emergency services.

  Estimates of earnings of employees in the private sector with similar skills and experience are not available as details of skills and experience are not collected by the ASHE survey.

  Table 1 – Median Full-Time Hourly Earnings Excluding Overtime by Emergency Services Industry

  

SIC code
Median Hourly Earnings Excluding Overtime


75.24–Public security, law and order activities
£14.36


75.25–Fire service activities
£11.96


85.14–Other human health activities1 
£10.73



  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.

  Notes:

  1. SIC 85.14 – Other human health activities includes ambulance transport of patients.

  2. The estimates are based on the pay excluding overtime for employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.

  3. The estimates are based on a sample survey, and as such, are subject to sampling error.

Enterprise

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to assist individuals to establish new businesses.

Nicol Stephen: Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have the lead responsibility for providing assistance to individuals wishing to establish a business. In addition, there are a number of schemes delivered and directly funded by the Scottish Executive. Eligibility for support – including funding - will depend on a number of factors, such as location, scale and nature of the business.

  For advice on the availability of funding, the individuals involved should contact Business Gateway in the Scottish Enterprise area or the Local Enterprise Company in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area.

Enterprise

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why an upper age limit is set for some of the grants available to establish new businesses.

Nicol Stephen: The Business Start-up Grant for Young People in the 18 to 30 age group, delivered by Scottish Enterprise’s Business Gateway network in conjunction with the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, is the only grant scheme for new businesses with an upper age limit. This grant is specifically targeted at this age group as research suggests that funding constraints can be a particular problem for young people.

Fire Service

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the three most common categories of calls attended by each fire and rescue service were in each of the last three years and what the total numbers were in each category (a) nationally and (b) broken down by service, also expressed as a percentage of all calls attended.

Johann Lamont: The information requested is given in appendix 4 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland annual reports published by the Scottish Executive in December 2004; October 2005 and December 2006, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 34686; 38132; and 41202).

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many freedom of information (FOI) requests it received from liberal democrat (a) MSPs and (b) councillors in each month since January 2005 and what percentage of those requests resulted in exemptions being applied and non-disclosure of the information requested.

Ms Margaret Curran: One FOI request was centrally recorded which identified the requester as a liberal democrat MSP. The information was disclosed in this case.

  We do not have any FOI requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a liberal democrat councillor.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many freedom of information (FOI) requests it received from labour (a) MSPs and (b) councillors in each month since January 2005 and what percentage of those requests resulted in exemptions being applied and non-disclosure of the information requested.

Ms Margaret Curran: We do not have any FOI requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a labour MSP.

  We do not have any FOI requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a Labour councillor.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many labour MSPs have requested a review of a decision by Scottish ministers to withhold information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 by applying exemptions under the act and what proportion of those decisions were subsequently upheld.

Ms Margaret Curran: We do not have any freedom of information review requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a labour MSP.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many liberal democrat MSPs have requested a review of a decision by Scottish ministers to withhold information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 by applying exemptions under the act and what proportion of those decisions were subsequently upheld.

Ms Margaret Curran: We do not have any freedom of information review requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a liberal democrat MSP.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many liberal democrat councillors have requested a review of a decision by Scottish ministers to withhold information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 by applying exemptions under the act and what proportion of those decisions were subsequently upheld.

Ms Margaret Curran: We do not have any freedom of information review requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a liberal democrat councillor.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many labour councillors have requested a review of a decision by Scottish ministers to withhold information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 by applying exemptions under the Act and what proportion of those decisions were subsequently upheld.

Ms Margaret Curran: We do not have any freedom of information review requests centrally recorded which identified the requester as a labour councillor.

Health

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish any dissenting comments on heart disease made by members of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network who resigned before the publication of new guidelines on heart disease.

Mr Andy Kerr: This is entirely a matter for the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, which forms part of the independent organisation NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

Justice

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines "dangerous and persistent offenders".

Cathy Jamieson: Defining "dangerous and persistent offenders" depends on the circumstances of the individual cases and assessments of the risk posed. That is why the Executive has introduced internationally recognised tools for the agencies involved in the assessment and management of offenders and trained them in their use. This ensures a consistent approach across the different agencies which can be adapted to the needs of the individual and for the interests of public protection.

Justice

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were convicted of drink-driving in each year since 1999.

Cathy Jamieson: The information requested is given in table 19 of statistical bulletin Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts 2004-05 published by the Scottish Executive in 2006, a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 39481).

Ministerial Meetings

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive at which Joint Ministerial Committee meetings it has been represented since January 2006; what the subject was of each meeting; which minister attended, and at which meetings it has not been represented.

Ms Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-31268 on 5 February 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

  The position has not changed since then.

NHS Staff

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints of harassment or bullying have been made by employees of the NHS in each year since 1999.

Mr Andy Kerr: This information is not held centrally.

NHS Waiting Lists

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what data are disregarded in the preparation of NHS waiting list data.

Mr Andy Kerr: Statistics on patients on in-patient/day case and out-patient waiting lists are routinely published on ISD’s website: http://www.isdscotland.org/waiting_times .

  Statistics are published on the total number of patients waiting, and on the subset of patients who are subject to waiting times guarantees. ISD do not "disregard" any data in publishing waiting list information on this site and aim to present what is of utmost interest and validity. ISD review the range of statistics published to ensure its continued relevance. Full details of the selection criteria for waiting list analyses are included on the website.

  The statistics are sourced from two schemes: the in-patient and day case census (SMR3) and the out-patient waiting list census.

  The purpose of the in-patient and day case census is to collect data on all patients waiting for in-patient or day case admission in any specialty in any hospital in NHSScotland.

  The out-patient waiting list census was set up in 2004 to monitor the out-patient waiting list guarantee. The census has the facility to capture information on patients outwith the scope of the guarantee, but submissions of data on specialties not covered by the guarantee are very patchy and vary between NHS boards. Technical issues have led to specific services being excluded from the census on grounds of data quality. In particular, data from Edinburgh Dental Institute, and primary care specialties in Fife have been excluded since the beginning of the collection. Data from some specialties in South Glasgow are also missing from earlier censuses. Full details of coverage are published on ISD’s waiting times web pages: http://www.isdscotland.org/waiting_times.

Prison Service

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many official overseas trips were made by senior staff of the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) member of staff, (b) destination, (c) date travelled and (d) cost.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) incurred the following travel expenditure, including overseas travel, in the period from 1999-2000 to 2005-06:

  

Year
£000


1999-2000
52


2000-01
1,349


2001-02
1,140


2002-03
136


2003-04
117


2004-05
95


2005-06
104



  Note: figures in earlier years include expenditure in respect of HM Prison Zeist.

  The expenditure includes direct travel cost (e.g. fares) and excludes related costs (e.g. accommodation etc). Separate figures for overseas travel, member of staff, destination and date of travel are not held centrally by the SPS and could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

Prison Service

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners are serving sentences of (a) less than three months and (b) three to six months.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  On the 31 March 2006 there were 116 prisoners sentenced to less than three months and 507 sentenced to between three and less than six months. The information provided is the latest data which has been subject to audit review processes. Provisional information for the 2006 calendar year is due to be published in the near future.

Racial Equality

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish its National Strategy and Action Plan on Race Equality.

Rhona Brankin: After very careful consideration, and in response to many calls from stakeholders, I have decided to postpone publication of the strategy and action plan until the next parliamentary session. This will enable the Executive to further develop the strategy, and undertake further consultation work which will help to ensure that we have a comprehensive and fully informed strategy and action plan that can deliver for all Scotland’s communities.

Scottish Criminal Record Office

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-31044 by Elish Angiolini QC on 31 January 2007, whether a charge of perverting the course of justice would be appropriate in respect of the actions of the SCRO experts if evidence came to light that their evidence given at any trial or inquiry or in any report was false.

Elish Angiolini QC: I am not aware of any such evidence being available. Accordingly, I do not consider it appropriate to speculate on this matter.

Sexual Abuse

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group has met since its first meeting in September 2005 and whether it has had any meetings since 17 March 2006 and, if so, whether it will publish the minutes of such meetings on the Executive’s website.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the membership of the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group has changed since its formation and, if so, who the current members are and which organisations they represent.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the appointment criteria and mechanisms were for members of the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group; what process applies to organisations that wish to apply for membership; whether any organisation has had an application for membership rejected and, if so, on what grounds.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the role is of the lead professionals on the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full members of the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group are (a) full-time Executive staff or (b) employed, or have previously been employed, by the Executive on a consultancy basis.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the anticipated lifespan is of the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the network of survivors, practitioners and researchers that the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group agreed at its meeting on 17 March 2006 should be set up has been set up.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the remit of the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group covers all forms of abuse of children and not only sexual abuse.

Lewis Macdonald: There have been 12 meetings of the group since its inception in September 2005 and minutes appear on the website after they have been formally cleared.

  The remit of the group focuses on addressing the adult needs of those who have been sexually abused as children. However, it is recognised that sexual abuse may incorporate psychological and physical abuse.

  The expertise of the Cross Party Group was used to define the core membership, which is largely unaltered. Some additions were made, for example, a representative from the Scottish Association for Mental Health. There are currently 25 members, 17 of whom are external, representing health and local authorities, and the following of voluntary sector groups: the Moira Anderson Foundation; Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project, No More Secrets; SAY Women; Victim Support Scotland; M-Line, and Children 1st. Given the sensitivity, members who are abuse survivors are not identified but some have experience of being in care settings. There have been no resignations.

  To ensure that the strategy is co-ordinated, there are six Scottish Executive members representing community care, sexual and mental health, criminal justice and children and families. In addition there are two lead professionals (each employed one day per week) whose role is to implement agreed action points as laid out in the Strategy and agreed with the Reference Group. One of the lead professionals has been employed in other areas of the Scottish Executive to conduct research in the past.

  In addition to full membership, relevant speakers and other contributors are co-opted to task groups as necessary. Other organisations wishing to contribute to the strategy implementation will be able to do so through the forthcoming national conference on 28 February and through the expanding network to be routed through the website.

  It is anticipated that the Reference Group will conclude its business by April 2009.

Sexual Abuse

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what administration and expenses budget was allocated to the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group and what has been spent under this budget since the group was formed.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been budgeted for projects arising from recommendations from the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group since its formation; what resources have been allocated and how much has been spent, broken down by project are.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been (a) allocated or (b) spent from the £2 million Survivors’ Fund resulting from the report by the Scottish Executive Short-Life Working Group on the care needs of people who have survived childhood sexual abuse, Services for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse .

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what bids have been received for demonstration projects under the £2 million Survivors’ Fund resulting from the report by the Scottish Executive Short-Life Working Group on the care needs of people who have survived childhood sexual abuse, Services for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, and which bids have been successful.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an organisation requires to be a registered charity to be eligible for funding from the £2 million Survivors’ Fund resulting from the report by the Scottish Executive Short-Life Working Group on the care needs of people who have survived childhood sexual abuse, Services for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the website that the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group agreed at its meeting on 17 March 2006 should be set up has been set up.

Lewis Macdonald: The £2 million Survivors Fund is the total budget available to the Strategy. £60,007 has been spent to date on lead professional salaries, expenses (for example accommodation for service users attending meetings), and setting up a website that will go live shortly. The group has also taken time and care to devise the criteria for a Development Fund. Applications are currently being sought for new, innovative services as well as supporting existing fragile initiatives through demonstration projects. It is anticipated that these will absorb the bulk of the monies available. The fund was launched on 26 January and closes on 31 March 2007. As yet, no applications have been received but there is a keen interest as evidenced by requests for application forms.

  There is no requirement that an organisation has charitable status to be eligible for application to the Survivors Fund, but there will need to be satisfactory evidence that the organisation meets the criteria as laid out in the fund guidelines.

Sexual Abuse

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a review of the booklet, A Can of Worms, was considered to be necessary, as referred to in the minute of the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group’s meeting on 17 March 2006 and, if so, when the review was carried out and what the result was.

Lewis Macdonald: It was considered that some comments made about the booklet, A Can of Worms , raised issues that required further consideration. I instructed officials to convene a review group to consider those issues further. The booklet addresses an important need and the review group is considering whether changes are required to improve the booklet and, if so, to agree what the changes should be.

  The group met twice in 2006, on 13 October and on 11 December, and has agreed to take forward its work into 2007.